Assistant Farm Manager

Overview

The Plants, Soils, and Climate department of Utah State University seeks qualified individuals to assist in managing research fields plots as part of collaborative research with the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Duties include operating tractors and other farm equipment, maintaining (mow, till, irrigate, weed control) research plots and open areas, and operating specialized plot-sized harvest and tillage equipment.

This position is in Cache County and requires travel to UAES and ARS farms in Cache, Box Elder, and Nephi Counties and will generally require 20-30 hours a week, March through September. This position will report to Earl Creech, PSC department, and receive technical supervision from Blair Waldron, USDA-ARS.

• Skills and experience must be such that assistant manager can determine, plan for, and implement the appropriate field maintenance. Including knowing the proper equipment for tillage and weed control, the proper timing and chemistry for pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides, and possible issues such as drought, insect damage, and weed invasion.
• Requires travel to different research sites. Mostly solo and no overnight travel required. Must be able to load, transport, and unload farm equipment using towing vehicles.
• Requires operating tractors and other farm equipment. The operator must be skilled in manipulating tractor controls for smooth starting, stopping, and maneuvering the tractor and towed vehicles in congested areas.
• The assistant manager will maintain (mow, till, and spray herbicides) research plots and open areas.
• Duties include operating specialized plot-sized mechanical equipment, including, forage harvester, seed combine, rototill and other tillage equipment.
• Must be able to effectively communicate and take instructions from farm location coordinators and research scientists.
• Assistant manager must be attuned to the research process, be detail oriented, able to read research plot maps, identify specific plots based upon the maps, and perform maintenance and harvests on specific plots without error.
• Safe operation and transport of farm equipment require annual safety training and check with in-house safety committee.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Related experience operating farm equipment.
• Knowledge of weed control methods, including tillage and chemical control.
• Must have effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• BS/MS degree in Agronomy/Plant Science/Agriculture Tech and Mechanization.
• 5+ years of experience in similar position or operating farm equipment.
• Knowledge of research processes.
• Knowledge of the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station farms and system.
• Current (or have had in past and can get current) pesticide applicators license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to pleasantly interact with a wide variety of individuals.
• Ability to travel throughout area of responsibility, consistent with university policy.
• Strong organizational, time, and project management skills.

• Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
• Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

Document size may not exceed 10 MB.

Salary: $25-30 per hour ADA

Work is primarily performed outside. Whether or not the equipment has a cab, the operator is constantly exposed to unpleasant noise levels and vibration and jolting from the tractor and towed vehicles. Outside work often exposes the operator to long periods of hot sun and occasionally to bad weather. May be exposed to chemical dust and sprays and may need to wear protective clothing and respirators.

Must follow prescribed safety practices and use safety equipment to avoid injury and possible hazards in the work area.

Work requires frequent arm and leg movement to manipulate tractor controls. Performs light physical effort when coupling and uncoupling towed vehicles. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents are required to lift, push,…